Anwar As ASEAN Chairman Commended For Initiating Dialogue With Separate Groups In Myanmar Conflict
GENERAL
By Fatin Umairah Abdul Hamid
KUALA LUMPUR, May 25 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has been commended as Chairman of ASEAN 2025 for his efforts in initiating dialogues with warring parties in Myanmar and looking for ways to resolve the protracted conflict.
To this end, Counter Risk Consultancy Malaysia Sdn Bhd managing partner Peter Nicoll said Anwar has initiated separate dialogues with both the military junta and National Unity Government (NUG), which is indicative of 'a move towards perhaps more proactive engagement to resolve the conflict'.
'Additionally, ASEAN plans to dedicate upcoming meetings solely to the Myanmar conflict itself, sort of trying to revitalise the stalled peace process,' he said.
This was already evident at the ongoing 46th ASEAN Summit chaired by Malaysia here whereby a separate meeting was held yesterday between Myanmar's senior officials and three countries - Laos, the previous host for ASEAN; Malaysia, the current host; and the Philippines, the host next year.
'So while ASEAN's initial approach has not yet yielded the desired outcome, recent initiatives may well signal a willingness to adopt more assertive and inclusive strategies to address the ongoing crisis in Myanmar,' he said during a special talk show on ASEAN aired over Bernama TV and hosted by Jessy Chahal.
Meanwhile, Head of School and Associate Professor in the School of Politics at University of Nottingham Malaysia, Dr Benjamin Robin Barton, said that it is natural to be pessimistic about Myanmar.
This is because up until now, there hasn't been a breakthrough and it was a very complex situation given that there are the junta and other groups which don't speak with the same voice.
Nicoll said that Malaysia's Chairmanship theme 'Inclusivity and Sustainability', which was adopted for this year's ASEAN Summit, presents both an opportunity and a challenge in the context of the ongoing political crisis in Myanmar.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Free Malaysia Today
3 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
PAS eyes support of ‘critical' non-Malays disgruntled with govt
PAS vice-president Amar Abdullah said that although some PH supporters may have become disappointed with the party, they still disliked PAS over its perceived hardline Malay-Muslim stance. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : Non-Malay voters disgruntled with the Pakatan Harapan-led government are the target of PAS, the largest opposition party in the Dewan Rakyat, as it prepares for the next general election. PAS vice-president Amar Abdullah acknowledged that Malay-Muslim parties have struggled to gain the support of non-Malays. However, it was apparent that voters who make up PH's core support have become increasingly critical of the government led by PH chairman Anwar Ibrahim, Amar said in an interview with Malaysiakini. 'The question now is how PAS can attract them to our side,' Amar was quoted as saying. The challenge was to find more convincing ways to win over the non-Malays ahead of the general election, which is due by February 2028. While some PH supporters may have become disappointed with the coalition's inability to execute various reforms it had promised, he admitted that they still disliked PAS due to its perceived hardline Malay-Muslim stance. 'This is what we're currently thinking about: how to win their support,' he said, adding that the Islamic party must preserve its clean image to retain young voters. Amar also took a swipe at its Perikatan Nasional partner Gerakan for making statements that have 'harmed and undermined' PAS. He urged Gerakan, the only multiracial party in the opposition coalition, to exercise control in making public statements, adding that PAS keeps an eye on such matters. 'I have to be honest here, because occasionally their remarks have backfired. They need to be careful and exercise control, because we're part of the same coalition. There must be give and take,' he said. Gerakan has 'much to improve' in attracting Chinese voters, who have been largely supporting DAP, and Gerakan's machinery and groundwork needed improvement, while the party's image itself needed to be rebuilt, he said. In November last year, Gerakan president Dominic Lau urged PAS to declare that it will not interfere with the rights of other communities, in order to ease the concerns of non-Malays and boost their support for PN. However, PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man shot down the proposal, saying Gerakan should not blame the Islamic party for its failure to muster support from the Chinese community.
The Star
7 hours ago
- The Star
Indonesia's FM calls for stronger Asean mechanisms after Vision 2045 adoption
JAKARTA/MANILA (Bernama): Indonesia's Foreign Minister Sugiono has called for strengthening Asean's institutional mechanisms, including its diplomatic corps and central bodies, to effectively implement the Asean Community Vision 2045 adopted at last month's summit in Kuala Lumpur. At a meeting with the Committee of Permanent Representatives to Asean (CPR) and Timor-Leste's Ambassador to Asean at the Foreign Ministry here, he praised the progress achieved through Asean's cooperation frameworks, especially after the adoption of the Asean Community Vision (ACV) 2045. He said the long-term vision, adopted at the 46th Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur last month, outlines a strategic roadmap for the next two decades, envisaging a resilient, innovative, dynamic and people-centred Asean. "We need to strengthen Asean mechanisms, including the CPR, and bolster the Asean Secretariat and Asean Headquarters in Jakarta to optimise our potential in addressing challenges within the region and globally,' he said. Sugiono also underscored the CPR's role in fostering community building, facilitating cross-pillar coordination, and engaging with Asean's external partners, as it is essential to achieving the goals of ACV. He further welcomed Timor-Leste's upcoming accession as Asean's eleventh member state later this year. - Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
7 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Stay out of India-Pakistan conflict, MP urges Anwar
Backbencher Larry Sng, who is president of Parti Bangsa Malaysia, said the Indo-Pakistan dispute is 'beyond us'. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : A backbencher has urged the government to stay out of the ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan, and to instead focus on leading Asean this year. Julau MP Larry Sng said the dispute between the two South Asian nations was 'beyond us' while chairing Asean was the mandate at hand for the unity government. 'Malaysia should not interfere in the India-Pakistan conflict, it is beyond us. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim should solely focus on Asean, that is our mandate,' said Sng, who is president of Parti Bangsa Malaysia. Last month, Anwar said Malaysia was open to helping cool tensions between India and Pakistan after a deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir in April. He said Malaysia's close ties with both nations placed it in a position to support steps towards ensuring peace and stability in the region. Indian MP Sanjay Kumar Jha, who was on an official trip to Malaysia last week, said the conflict was strictly between the two nations and required no foreign mediation. However, Pakistan's high commissioner to Malaysia Syed Ahsan Raza Shah welcomed Anwar's offer, saying the prime minister was highly respected in both countries. Earlier today, Anwar said Malaysia only hopes for a peaceful resolution in the dispute.
